I just accept that the way I shoot limits me to 20 yds in the woods. Frankly, most of the guys I see using an aiming method would be better off limiting themselves to 20 yds at game anyway.
I'm very similar but I'd like to add a few things that I do in my "aiming" process.
I instinctively shoot but since taking a decade off from it ive started using a string walking/instintive combo.
Great explanation. This is pretty much exactly the same thing I do; mostly unconsciously. Just never really thought about the steps prior to looking down the shaft for alignment and refocusing on the spot.
^^ what he said.
Aiming subconsciously is arguably still aiming. Your aren’t blindly throwing a ball. If you shoot instinct style it’s likely that you have shot hundreds or thousands of arrows and your body is somewhat memorizing trajectory and estimating distance. You are pointing the bow down range, your mind is estimating trajectory, your eyes are focused on the point of impact and you shoot. I say again this is a type of aiming. I bet if you see your shot cycle in your mind you might see the arrow going down your bow (blurry) of course. Do you think your mind ignores this? Does your form not line the arrow under your eye? It would be weird if you lined up with your ear, but still possible I guess. Other methods of aiming help get people into the trad game with results a tad quicker than instinct. It means that a couple months of practice could mean they actually have the confidence to hunt with. Maybe they will stick with it. I started gap and now I shoot split vision which many consider instinct. It’s how Howard Hill shot. Should he have just gone to compound? To answer your second question of why not just go compound. Your question is flawed and assumes there is only one reason to shoot a trad bow. Trad bows are quieter, simpler, usually more visually appealing if you like wood, even with aiming (as you say) take longer than 15 min to shoot bullseyes with, challenging because they are slower and more range limited, lighter in the hand. I could go on for days with the reasons to shoot a trad bow. Many of the worlds ancient peoples have been aiming since the bow came to their respective lands. We are all trad aiming or no. Enjoy the simplicity of stick and string and carry on.
Bow shaming? Damn wasn't expecting that!
It’s like asking why you shoot a modern trad bow and not a self bow. No need to divide the trad community further. Already small enough. Maybe I’ll go rock hunting this season. Nothing beats the feel of stone in hand. Back to the OPs topic. Sorry for the interlude.
I wish I could find a video I watched a long time ago where this theory was tested. It basically was a lighted target (they hung up a chem light) lights were out in the room while shooting at the target and it was too dark to see the bow or arrow tip to use as a reference point to aim. The shots were waaaay off proving even "instinctive shooters" are using the bow, the tip of the arrow, or something as a point of reference to aim.
